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On Saturday, Bangor 3rds travelled to Harlequins to face their 2XI. The
3rds' were missing R Parker, but their ranks were boosted with James
Trimble making a comeback from injury & R Coughlin returning. In all the
players thought this would be a good, but tough test against one of the
strongest sides in the league.
The back four of Coughlin, Stubbings, Douglas & Larmer were immediately
put under pressure by Quinns. Although both teams tried to play an open,
attacking game, Quinns' forwards were lively, and their midfielders
surged forward at every opportunity. They didn't let Bangor settle on
the ball, forcing errors, with passes going astray. Quinns soon took the
lead, but for all their attacking flair, the goal was pretty scrapy.
Bangor failed to deal with a cross properly, and when Irvine saved,
failed again to clear the ball, with the Quinns centre forward scoring
from a yard out.
Bangor tried to raise their game and create chances, but Quins defended
well, before scoring a second halfway through the first period.
Bangor quickly reorganised, with McNaught dropping deep in midfield,
leaving Parker & Coughlin up front. Suddenly, Bangor were much more
competitive, and the midfield of Boyd, McCausland & Trimble got into the
game much more. Bangor's passing improved dramatically, and the team
started to play some good attacking hockey. In the last 10 minutes of
the half, Bangor had several short corners & chances. The best fell to S
Parker, who forced a great save from the Quinns keeper.
At 2 nil down, Bangor were not out of it, but did have a mountain of a
task to get anything from the game. Ryan Elliot came on at sweeper, with
Pete Sneddon going to right back. The introduction of Elliot, in
particular, was important. His passing ability allowed Bangor bring the
ball out of the back comfortably and create attacks. The second half was
filled with some good attacking hockey from both sides, but Bangor
probably edged it on chances. They won several more short corners, and
created more chances than Quinns, and even pulled a goal back through
Stubbings at a short corner. A real poachers goal. In the final 15
minutes, Bangor pushed on looking for an equaliser, with the midfield
creating several good chances. Again, Parker forced a good save from the
keeper. Boyd & Sneddon were making good headway down the right, with
Trimble spreading play in midfield well & McNaught was pushing forward
to support Coughlin & Parker, and the defence was coping well with the
Quinns attacks. Bangor managed to have to sustaiined pressure in the
last 5 minutes, but Quinns defended well to hold on for a win.
In all, a much improved second half performance against one of the
stronger teams in the league. They should take heart from it and go into
the next run of games with confidence high.
Many thanks to R Elliot & M Coughlin for umpiring. |